Jahvon Quinerly, an ESPN Top 25 recruit, is back on the market. Quinerly announced last night that he will not attend the University Arizona, as they continue to be a part of an ongoing FBI investigation. Arizona’s highest rated commitment in the class of 2017, according to ESPN, he announced his decision last night via his Twitter account.

Quinerly was linked to the bribery scandal currently that is shadowing over college basketball right now. Federal documents revealed that former Arizona assistant ‘Book’ Richardson, who was arrested last month, arranged a $15,000 bribe for a player who committed to U of A around August 9th. Quinerly pledged his allegiance to the Cats on August 8th.

For now, Sean Miller still holds commitments from Shareef O’Neal and Brandon Williams in the 2018 class. However, it’s hard to deny that Arizona, like Louisville, is now feeling the effects of being tied up in this FBI investigation. As Evan Daniels notes below, the investigation has now impacted the recruitment of 17 players, most of which are elite level talent.

By my count the FBI Investigation has dramatically impacted the recruitment of at least 17 players.

For Quinerly, he will once again find a lot of teams fighting to land his services. This summer, he chose Arizona over top programs such as Kansas, Virginia and Villanova, among others. If Quinerly is directly linked to this investigation it could have a huge impact on his recruitment. The last recruit Arizona lost as a result of this scandal wound up at North Carolina. Don’t be surprised if Quinerly joins the ACC himself and commits to Tony Bennett and Virginia.

We know this investigation is going to go on forever. It will change a lot of programs; In fact, it already has at Louisville. While Arizona is different from Louisville in that there are no direct ties to their head coach, they are suffering in the recruiting game all the same. Louisville lost three Top 100 recruits. Will the Wildcats have the same fate?

The University of Arizona has long been regarded as Point Guard U by Arizona fans and college basketball fans alike. The list of Wildcat Floor Generals is long and illustrious. Mike Bibby, Jason Terry, Miles Simon, Jason Gardner, Damon and Salim Stoudamires, and most recently, TJ McConnell. On Tuesday shortly before the tip of the Stephen Curry Select 30 game, coach Sean Miller, a good PG in his own right at Pittsburgh, picked up a commitment from one of the best PG’s in the ’18 class in Jahvon Quinerly. Quinerly is the second point guard commitment in the ’18 class, joining Brandon Williams who committed earlier this summer. Arizona pitched the idea of the two being able to coexist in the back court, with Williams playing off of the ball and Quinerly handling many of the point guard responsibilities. Quinerly could be the most talented prospect Miller has signed yet. He is certainly capable of helping get the Wildcats over the Final Four hump that has eluded them since Miller’s arrival in Tucson.

While Quinerly, a long time Hoop Group Alum, has been regarded as one of the best lead guards in the ’18 class, his play during the spring/summer Under Armour circuit for SportsU/Team IZOD helped continue to boost his stock. Jahvon is a quick and athletic guard that can get to the rim at will. He also is able to keep defenses honest with his jumper, as evidence by shooting nearly 45% from 3 during the AAU season. Quinerly is seemingly in control at all times, which will be huge for an Arizona program that could be looking at a large roster turnover after the ’17-’18 college season. There was a lot of talk in the Spring and Summer of Quinerly teaming up in college with AAU teammate Nazi Reid. Attention will be turned to Reid now to see if he will commit to Miller and the Wildcats as well.

With his college decision out of the way before the start of his senior year, Quinerly can focus on trying to bring home a Tournament of Champions title to Hudson Catholic with top 100 teammates Louis King and Luther Muhammad. Quinerly will be a fan favorite from Day One in Tucson, and will keep the Wildcats atop the conference standings as the Jelly Fam movement extends its foot print to the “Conference of Champions.”

Top New Jersey Basketball Players: 10 Most Productive

Qualifications: There are a lot of ways to discuss Top New Jersey Basketball players, here we are talking strictly production. The players below aren’t necessarily the Top 10 players in New Jersey, but rather players I’ve projected to put up the biggest numbers adjusted for competition. You cannot be on the list if you’re projected to average less than 10 points per game or if your only strength is scoring the ball (players who are projected for low assist AND rebound totals don’t qualify). Lastly, we have adjusted for competition: Big numbers against a weaker schedule won’t get you in over someone with comparable numbers are against top teams.

Players are in no particular order. Please enjoy the first installment of Pooley Picks.

Nate Pierre-Louis: Nate’s an extremely physical guard who has the keys to the kingdom at one of New Jersey’s top schools. Look for Nate to have big scoring nights on top of his ability to creep up near double digit assists and rebounds on some outings. In addition to the situation being right at Roselle, Nate can also flat out play. This guard can score from all three levels, distribute, and get big buckets in big games. It will be fun to watch the Temple commit this season as he proves he’s one of the top New Jersey basketball players.

Most productive when: He out hustles all competition and gets teammates involved consistently

Justyn Mutts: Big man for St. Augustine’s has the potential for some monster nights in 2016-17. Proving himself with one of the best teams in NJ last year, Mutts had a 22-10-7 game against undefeated St. Anthony’s; along with multiple double-doubles and plenty of 5+ block games. High Point is getting a stat-stuffer with Mutts.

Most productive when: He plays inside then out and stays aggressive on the O-boards

Scottie Lewis: Scottie has the chance to have the best stat sheet in New Jersey both in an individual game and over the course of the season. A human highlight reel, he can also do everything and will be in a situation at The Ranney School where he has to for them to be successful. He’ll get plenty of shots and even more rebounding and assist opportunities. Even with adjusting for competition, Scottie will have such good numbers he is a no-brainer for this list. Looking ahead, watch for him to start creeping into one of the top New Jersey basketball players ever.

Most productive when: When he’s in the open floor and help-side defensive situations

Least productive when: Teams slow the game and play triangle and two against him and teammate Bryan Antoine

RJ Cole: Tough for anyone on a Coach Hurley team to make the list, as his teams often feature extremely well disciplined and balanced teams. However, this seems like a year where one player may be required to do a little more for them to be as successful as they’ve been in the past. Lucky for the Friars, Cole, a top New Jersey basketball player, is set up for one of those years. RJ is a heady point, whose jump shot has turned a corner. The lefty, committed to Howard, should have some big games against some of the best teams the Northeast has to offer. May not boast the stats of some of the other players on the list but will score or assist on a huge % of his teams buckets.

Most productive when: He’s given space on the perimeter or in ball screen situations

Least productive when: His team needs to grind out wins in the 40s and 50s

Elijah Barnes: Looking to repeat as Shore Conference Champs, Mater Dei’s 6’7” big man can do a little bit of everything. Most importantly, Barnes can do a lot of rebounding and scoring. Elijah put up decent numbers on an extremely well-rounded, well-coached team last year. Barnes is poised for a huge individual season (along with teammate Kenny Jones) in 2016-17. Princeton looks to be getting a tough big man who can do a little bit of everything.

Most productive when: He’s attacking the glass, inside of 15 feet and then steps out

Least productive when: He falls in love with perimeter game or floats on the floor

Jalen Carey: With Immaculate Conception getting better and deeper there may be a few less opportunities to score, but Jalen’s overall game should flourish. Arguably the best scorer in New Jersey (I wouldn’t argue against it), Carey is an explosive athlete, with some of the best downhill moves in high school basketball as well as a consistent mid-range shooter with a developing 3-pt jumper. Expect some games in the 30’s and a lot of wins for his high school team this year, led by the only junior on the list.

Most productive when: He has the ball in his hand. Period.

Least productive when: He’s forced off the ball and required to only shoot long jump shots.

Bryan Antoine: Bryan is a scoring PG who just happens to be 6’4” with an unbelievable feel for the game. Considering he’s going to touch the ball every possession this season I know big games are on the way. Huge scoring and assist numbers are a certainty from Bryan, in a league where guys will not be able to stay in front of him. Along with teammate Scottie Lewis, and an older and stronger supporting cast, look for these big numbers to translate into wins against tougher teams deep into 2017.

Most productive when: He can get going from deep and consistently get to the line.

Gabe Stefanini: The Italian import had a breakout 2016, both in HS and AAU. The 6’3” Columbia commit, can play three positions and is hard to stop at all of them. Not the fastest guard, Gabe’s game is built on deception, a high basketball IQ, and an ever improving jump shot. His numbers may not be as gaudy as some of the others on this list, but with an extremely deep Bergen Catholic roster and tough schedule, look for Gabe to be balanced in all 5 major categories and lead the crusaders to a lot of wins.

Most productive when: He plays under control, with his head up, and gets to the foul line.

Least productive when: He forces early in games and gets into his own head.

Nick Richards: From a production standpoint, I was close to leaving Nick off the list. For years, Nick has been a top recruit in the nation, and currently holds the number one spot in New Jersey; however, the statistics and impact on the game up until now hasn’t always been there. That is about to change though. With this being his senior year, his team playing perhaps the toughest schedule of any team in New Jersey, a recent commitment to Kentucky, and Pat’s losing inside factors Fatir Hines and Cyril Langevine: Nick will be up for more minutes, blocks, rebounds, and points. Not to mention the fact his game has made great strides the last few months.

Most productive when: He stays out of foul trouble and runs the floor rim to rim.

Elijah Olaniyi: Definitely a surprise to some on the production list, but Elijah has begun to separate himself from other NJ wings. The Stonybrook commit has taken a below average jumper and turned it into a strength. The energizer bunny, he not only plays hard every second, but he has a nose for the ball. Never afraid to attack the rim or take tough shots, Elijah will jump about 50% in scoring and slightly improve on an unreal rebounding campaign in 2015-16, which include five consecutive double-doubles. If you watch him play he’ll convince you he’s a top New Jersey basketball player.

Most productive when: He takes and makes good shots and gets to the foul line

Least productive when: Opposing Teams can keep him off the glass and out of transition

Top 5 Snubs:

Tavon Jones – Unbelievable competitor and scorer. Will lead Linden to another long playoff run.

Reason: I’m only allowed to have 10 players on the list.

Bourama Sidibe – Big time prospect who will rebound and block shots with the best of them.

Reason: Very difficult schedule will limit scoring opportunities; aggressive play will lead to foul trouble.

Deng Gak – Top level prospect, who developed a ton last year with Blair and PSA.

Reason: Don’t see him cracking 10 pts or reb with a great five at Blair who can all score and rebound.

Ja’Quaye James – One of the best scorers in the state in 2015-2016 and a good enough distributor.

Reason: Teams will start to key on little guard, assist and scoring numbers could dip.

Justin Minaya – Originally on the list, great all around guard with a bright future. Major sleeper!

Reason: He’ll have better numbers than a couple on the list, but adjusting for competition hurts.

Other Notes:

Difficult to leave Jordan Pierce off a list of top New Jersey basketball players. However, when it comes to productivity I don’t know if he’ll have the other stats. Jordan plays hard and records a lot of double-doubles. The big three at Hudson (Quinerly, Muhammad, King) are all unbelievable talents. However, for Marinello’s team to win they will share many of the stats needed to be on this list. Isaiah Wong will be a front runner for this list next year, Notre Dame guard is great.

Patrick School guards (Harris, McClary, Walker) will be in a Hudson Catholic like scenario: talented backcourt, with only one ball. Big nights but not enough counting numbers for Rice’s big three. George Visconti, crazy scorer who had 5 30 point games last year, just doesn’t quite have the strength of schedule but could average 25+ again this year. Finally, Nazreon Reid, a top 10 player to watch for certain but I don’t expect consistent enough numbers to justify jumping one of the other candidates.

2018 ESPN top 60

Eighteen Hoop Group alumni players were listed in the recent 2018 ESPN top 60 recruits list.

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The following is a list of Hoop Group alumni, by ranking, info and scouting reports.

2018 ESPN top 60

#4 Nazreon Reid, PF6-8, 215 lbsAsbury Park, N.J.Roselle Catholic High

Nazreon Reid, a 6-8, 215-pound power forward hailing from Asbury Park, N.J., ranks No. 4 on the 2018 ESPN top 60 list while he dominates the east. The Roselle Catholic High forward is No. 1 in New Jersey and No. 1 in the eastern region. Nazreon Reid has exceptional ball handling for a player his size, and his natural talent shows. He has 15 schools interested.

#5 Cameron Reddish, SF6-7, 190 lbsNorristown, Pa.Westtown School

No. 5-ranked Cameron Reddish is the best in his position, according to the 2018 ESPN top 60 recent rankings. Cameron Reddish is No. 1 in Pennsylvania and No. 2 in the region, so it’s no wonder he has eight schools on his tail. Scouting reports say Cameron Reddish’s talents have been undeniable from day one and he can create big mismatch problems as a utility guy.

#6 Silvio De Sousa, PF6-8, 220 lbsMontverde, Fla.Montverde Academy

The 2018 ESPN top 60 listed Silvio De Sousa at No. 6 in the nation, and he is turning heads in the south. Hailing from Montverde, Fla., the power forward from Montverde Academy utilizes his power and athleticism to drive the ball. Silvio De Sousa has two early offers.

Jalen Smith combines natural ability, size and athleticism. The power forward out of Baltimore, Md., is at the top of his class in the state. The future is bright for the Mount St. Joseph High School sophomore.

Small forward Kiyon Boyd is developing nicely at Howard D. Woodson High in Washington D.C. Coming in at the No. 44 spot, his eagerness and work ethics will make him hard to pass up on.

#47 Robby Carmody, SG6-4, 185 lbsMars, Pa.Mars Area High School

No. 47-ranked Robby Carmody is starting to peak interest.

#52 A.J. Reeves, SG6-4, 195 lbsChestnut Hill, Mass.Brimmer & May

No. 52 in the nation but No. 1 in Massachusetts, A.J. Reeves, shooting guard at Brimmer & May, is starting to develop into his 6-4 body. He has size advantage on the court.

#60 Rasir Bolton, PG5-10Burlington, N.J.Life Center Academy

Rasir Bolton hails from Burlington, N.J. The Life Center Academy guard is No. 5 in the state.

Marvin Bagley, a 6-9, 220-pound power forward from Sierra Canyon High was No. 1 in the nation. Earning the No. 2 and No. 3 spots respectively were Romeo Langford, a 6-5, 185-pound guard for Langford of New Albany Senior High and Jordan Brown, a 6-9, 210-pound center from Roseville, Calif.

Hudson Catholic (NJ) has solidified themselves as one of the best high school programs in New Jersey. They are back at it this year with a young team and only have one senior in Marion Williams. Williams will be a big part of this team and lead when needed. He only has one goal in mind for his team. They have been doing a lot to achieve this goal.

“Win a state championship,” said Williams. “We have been working out every day in the off season to achieve this.”

In addition to the senior, Hudson Catholic features highly touted sophomores Javon Quinerly and Luther Muhammad. Junior Pat Strzala will be a key contributor for the Hawks as well. Everything comes back to Williams however, who will strive to be a leader for his team. If he does so he thinks they will be successful.

“I need to be a leader for my team,” he said. “I want to lead us to a state championship, but most importantly play as a team.”

Williams and the rest of his team square off against Blair Academy (NJ). Hudson Catholic is a tough and hardworking bunch of players that won’t back down to tough competition like Blair. This should be a fun matchup and will bring a lot of excitement to Caldwell College (NJ) on December 20th.